The Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology that produces impartial and balanced briefings to facilitate knowledge exchange between UK Parliament and research communities, has this month released the 'Local area energy planning: achieving net zero locally' research briefing. The focus of the briefing considers how effective the process of LAEP is in delivering the necessary energy system changes required at the local level using the early examples of ‘trail blazer’ local authorities that are adopting the process.

The briefing explores how a LAEP is created using modeling and analysis systems and the technologies employed to inform the process. The briefing also considers the emerging evidence from the current examples of LAEP alongside common aspects of regional plans for power, heat, transport, industry and the environment.

Within the briefing, Advanced Infrastructure's LAEP+ tool has been featured as an example of the software solutions available in the modeling of local energy demand and supply and how it has been adopted by Distribution Network Operators including UK Power Networks through Project CLEO and Local Authorities such as Oxfordshire County Council through Project LEO.

Key Points

• Local area energy planning (LAEP) is a relatively new process designed to deliver effective local action to contribute to the UK’s 2050 net zero greenhouse gas emissions target.
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• LAEP provides an action plan for local leaders that also accounts for action at the national level. It incorporates technical evidence on the whole energy system, wider non-technical factors and engagement with stakeholders.
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• LAEP aims to deliver cost savings, social benefits and a more coordinated energy transition by taking a proactive, whole-systems, place-specific approach to energy planning. Innovate UK are working with the Government to gather evidence on value added and investment returns.
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• LAEPs have recently become a statutory requirement for Welsh local authorities. ‘Trailblazer cities’ like Greater Manchester have adopted LAEPs with ambitious pre-2050 net zero targets across the UK.
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• 20 local authorities have LAEPs in the UK. There are significant barriers to roll-out such as the capacity and skills of local authorities, short-term funding, data transparency and a lack of standardisation.
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• The role of local authorities and the governance structure between local, regional, and national net zero plans is not yet formalised. The regional energy planning system has gained more focus and recently been consulted on by Ofgem.

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Read the briefing in full in this link- https://post.parliament.uk/research-briefings/post-pn-0703/